June 20

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ by Jules Verne

The novel that I will be talking about is called, ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, and was written by Jules Verne. The book was set in London, England, in 1872. The story begins at the Reform Club that one of the main characters, Phileas Fogg, regularly goes to. It is at the Reform Club that Mr Fogg places a wager of £20,000 on him being able to travel around the world in 80 days. Because of this wager and the adventure that Mr Fogg and his new servant, Passepartout, go on, the setting changes continuously. The pair visit places such as Paris, Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York, Liverpool, and London.

There are four major characters: Phileas Fogg, Jean Passepartout, Mr, Fix and Aouda. Phileas Fogg is a rich man who is very punctual and has very high standards, which is shown as he fired his butler because he brought Mr Fogg’s shaving water in at a few degrees colder than he likes it. Jean Passepartout is Fogg’s butler, who is loyal to Fogg and always does as he is told. Mr Fix is a detective who suspects that Mr Fogg stole a lot of money. Aouda is a young woman from India who Mr Fogg and Passepartout rescued before she was sacrificed.

The four main characters go on an adventure that has many ups and downs. After Mr Fogg makes his wager, he and Passepartout start on their journey around the world only to be followed by Mr Fix. The characters travel through Europe and Eastern Asia only to make it to India to find that the rail line hasn’t been built yet. Mr Fogg then buys an elephant for them to ride on to keep their journey moving forward. It is also during their time in India that Mr Fogg and Passepartout rescue a girl, Aouda, from being sacrificed and she joins them on their journey. Passepartout and Mr Fogg are separated by Mr Fix in Hong Kong but they meet up in Japan before they head off to America. In America, the characters are travelling by train when it is attacked by Native Americans and Passepartout is captured. Mr Fogg then goes to rescue him. This meant that they miss their train to the East Coast, so the pair travel by sledge instead. They then miss their boat but Mr Fogg was able to take control of a small vessel to make the trip home across the Atlantic. Mr Fogg is arrested by Mr Fix in Ireland but is later released when the real criminal is arrested in London. Mr Fogg marries Aouda and ends up arriving a day early, winning his wager and the £20,000.

Overall, I would rate this book a 1/10 because I personally didn’t enjoy it because it isn’t the type of book that I like to read. The way the author wrote the book didn’t make much sense to me as it was written in ‘Old English’. I didn’t feel any emotions when reading this book, therefore, I would not recommend this book to my friends.

By Preston D., Year 8

June 1

‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card

Are you into war and alien stories? Good! Ender’s Game is the book for you!

Orson Scott Card is the author of Ender’s Game and is also the author of many other great and interesting books, such as Ender’s Shadow and Ender in Exile which like Ender’s Game are great reads.

This novel is a science fiction genre story about a smart boy who goes to battle school to learn how to battle in space against the aliens or buggers. This is an intense book that keeps you hooked throughout the whole story. This book is memorable and compelling story and has interesting characters.

Ender’s Game is a great in-depth book with an engaging story line that keeps the reader guessing throughout the whole book, which adds an intense element to this book. Not only does Ender’s Game have a great story line, its setting or atmosphere is thought-out well by Orson Scott because the setting is out in space which is futuristic and I can’t think of one child who thinks space isn’t cool, which I think why Orson Scott chose this.  A character that I think stands out in Ender’s Game is Ender. I think this because he is so smart and knows what do in various situations. I also think this because he is only young and can lead the military into battle against the buggers. These are some reasons why Ender stands out to me.

I love the ending of Ender’s Game and it satisfies me. The reason I love this ending so much is because Ender is manipulated into thinking he’s in a battle simulator but he wipes out the entire race of buggers. I like Orson Scott’s style of writing because there are lots of unexpected twists throughout the story.

I think the novel’s moral is to do what’s right. Ender goes to battle school and enters the war against the buggers and saves the world, instead of staying at home and possibly losing to the aliens and Earth getting destroyed. This novel says to young people to do the right thing and not get caught up with bad situations.

I personally liked this book and therefore I scored it a four out of five. I liked this book because of the in-depth story line of Enders life through battle school. My highlight of the book is the setting; I like this because it suits Ender’s Game so much because Ender and the military go to war with the buggers which are an alien race. I think this book is a great example of sci-fi because there are space crafts and aliens. We at an age where space ships could only be a decade or two away plus having space ships we could find an alien species which could happen but it’s unlikely which is what sci-fi is. I would recommend this book to teenage boys who like alien war stories. Ender goes to war with the aliens and as a boy I love this book. This is an intense book that keeps you hooked throughout the whole story. This is a memorable and compelling story and has interesting characters. I rate Ender’s Game four out of five.

Max K., Year 8

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The book I am about to write about is beyond amazing. It’s gripping and emotional storyline makes it known as one of the best science fiction novels ever written. Ender’s Game is set in Earth’s future where a recruit in battle school named Ender Wiggin thinks he is playing a simulated war game but he is engaged in something far greater. You may recognize the writer’s name, Orson Scott Card, from other award winning Science Fiction books that he has written such as Ender’s Game sequel novel Speaker for the Dead. Both Enders Game and its sequel won Hugo and Nebula Awards, making Orson Scott Card the only author to win both science fiction’s top U.S. prizes in consecutive years. (Wikipedia)

Ender’s Game is about a boy genius named Ender Wiggin, who was selected by international military forces to save Earth from destruction. Ender was transferred to a battle school which is located on a ship far from Earth. Whilst in battle school, Ender manages to get further in one of his training exercises, called the “mind game”, then anyone ever had before him. The military commanders take notice of this. This is one of the ways they found out Ender was the man that would save the world from the “Buggers”, an insectoid alien species threatening Earth’s survival.

Ender’s Game is set far into the future (2086), however it is evident that there are many similar aspects of Ender’s life that correspond with modern society. In the novel Ender is physically and verbally abused by a gang of bullies. Eventually he’s forced to brutally beat the leader of this gang to protect himself. One in four students in Australia, ranging from Year 4 to Year 9, claim they are regularly attacked by playground thugs. This proves that despite the differences in time, bullying always remains relevant to society.

As this book contains the depression of Ender after he has ended the race of aliens that searching for a new home I do not recommend it to readers under the age of ten. However, it is perfect for years 10 and over because of the adventure that Ender takes part in. The book will also widen children’s imagination by far because of all the fictional features in the book, such as space travel, extra-terrestrials, space ships, and the unknown information about our universe that is predicted in this book. I rate this spectacular, spell-binding, spine tingling novel, a nine out of ten.

By Logan M., Year 8

June 12

‘Tuck Everlasting’ by Natalie Babbitt

Tuck EverlastingDon’t be afraid of death, be afraid of an unlived live. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.”

In the book “Tuck Everlasting” there is a family that drank from a spring and they lived forever. The family found a girl watching their son drink the water and his brother took her away. The girl’s family was so scared because they could not find their daughter. Then the Tuck family asked her if she would like to drink from the spring but she didn’t drink the water.

The book is set in 1881. It is set in the middle woods and the Tuck family who own the woods call it Treegap Wood. The main characters in the book are the Tuck family and Winnie Foster. The Tuck family (Mae Tuck, Mile Tuck, Angus Tuck and Jesse Tuck) are a nice, kind family that look after their family and others around them. Winnie Foster is a quiet girl mainly because she lives with a rich family and her mum tells her what to do all the time and she can never live freely.

Briefly, the book is about Winnie Foster who gets taken by the Tuck family and Winnie lives with them for most of her life. Her parents try looking for her then eventually find her and the Tuck family get in trouble.

I enjoyed all the action and romance in the book. There was a lot happening because there were people looking around trying to find the spring that had the water to drink that made you live forever because everyone wants to live forever. The romance was good because Winnie and Miles loved each other and books that have romance make people more interested in the book and they want to keep reading. I recommend this book for teenage girls or boys because it is a great book to read. There is a lot of mystery and everyone will enjoy the book.

Taylah J Year 8

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“Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.”

It was the first week of August 1881, and unlike other children Winnie Foster spent her first week of summer behind her locked gate. Winnie’s family run a tight ship, their home is always clean and polished, unlike the Tuck family.

Winnie is a ten year old girl, who is sick of her family watching over her like a hawk. She has a dream to one day escape to a place where she can be free and do whatever she wants. One morning everything changed. Winnie finally had the guts to run away and become free.

We all know what it feels like to be independent and do our own thing, but has Winnie really made the right decision? When Winnie is kidnapped by the Tuck family, she is in for quite a change. Winnie goes from a young ten year old girl who has no independence, to kid who needs to hurry and grow up quick.

Winnie’s life is completed transformed when she falls in love with Jesse Tuck. Winnie had gone from having no idea what being in love felt like to hardly being able to stand on her feet while looking at Jesse Tuck.

On top of being in love, Winnie even played the role of adult among the Tucks. She is always there to comfort the Tucks when they’re down and stick up for them when they’re in trouble.

When the Tucks tell Winnie their story, it was one of the strangest stories she had ever heard. Winnie suspected that she was the first person the Tuck’s had ever told their story to, as they would gather around her like children and interrupt each other while talking.

What’s more is Winnie has to keep everything a secret and as soon as Winnie moves back in with her family everyone knows something has changed. Winnie had always dreamt of doing something interesting and after spending time with the Tuck family it seems like her wish has been granted.

Millie, Year 8

June 11

‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien

hobbit-cover-01In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, nor yet a dry. This was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort…

Ok! Let me stop you right there! Does this sound like the type of book you would love to read any day, every day? Then the Hobbit is the book for you. But now that we’ve got that over and done with that we should get back to is my blog…

Bilbo Baggins was a little man, smaller than a dwarf of any sort. He was a hobbit. Hobbits are inclined to be fat in the stomach and dress in bright colours and wear no shoes. When Bilbo Baggins sets off on a quest with a company of dwarfs including the king of the dwarfs himself, Thorin Oakenshield, and Gandalf the grey wizard, they try to redeem the dwarves’ homeland but have to travel through Middle Earth the godforsaken place with hoards of orcs and evil creatures everywhere. But there was one problem Bilbo Baggins was neither swift and accurate elf nor one thick-headed killing machine orc. He was just a little hobbit that had barely ever left his home’s side. As the book progresses Bilbo starts to find out something about himself – things that he never thought were there. He even finds something what will change him forever.

The Hobbit was an exciting and mysterious book. I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I really recommend it to anyone who has a heart for adventures, entertaining and mind blowing books. I would no question whatsoever give this book a ten out of ten. PS The movie is also good.

George M, Year 8

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All was well, until one day a thunder storm appeared, not just a thunder storm it was a thunder battle.’

The main protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is a hobbit who does not like to go on adventures. He hardly likes to leave his hobbit hole. But one day Gandalf, a famous wizard, comes to Bilbo’s house and marks his door with a special mark to signal the dwarves.

Now I will stop right there because I don’t want to spoil it. Sounds exciting? Right! Well it is very exciting when you are reading it. I believe that The Hobbit is a very good book for all ages. The book is mainly for teenagers but middle-aged men would also enjoy it. But not just males can enjoy this book. Many females will enjoy it too.

So if you find that you may like it head down to your local library or bookshop and pick it up. But before you go and get it let me tell you if you are the kind of person that likes to read a romantic comedy turn away and find a new book. But if you like adventure and action with little bits of humour this will be a great book for you. So what are you waiting for? Go get the book and read it.

George B, Year 8

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“I don’t know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I’ve found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay.

Does this sound like the type of book you love to read? Will it keep you up till midnight? Then The Hobbit is the book for you.

The Hobbit shows thrills, bravery, wonder and adventure which are the main things kids want to read in a book like this. Even though The Hobbit is a scary movie, the book is suitable for ages above 6. This book starts the adventure by following the journey of the character Bilbo who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

The Hobbit has taught me about adventure and that life is too long to do nothing, for example Bilbo is at home one day doing nothing, and then someone comes and says we will be at your house later. I would rate this book 4 out of a 5 because of how many scenes show about them fighting and doing adventuring stuff.

We read The Hobbit as a cartoon book so it had many pictures for us to see and read and understand what is happening in the book. It has bright colours and some really dark colours to show the reader how high the mountains are that they are trying to climb. As they reached to the top they found orks that they had to fight. Overall this is a great book.

By Jack T., Year 8

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“The bells were ringing in dale and men looked up with faces pale the dragons ire more fierce than fire laid low their towers and house frail.”

This story is set in a fantasy land where dwarfs, hobbits, men, elves, goblins and orcs roam the earth. They all live in Middle-earth and all have enemies and allies.

Bilbo Bagins is a short stubby looking hobbit. He is a quiet but loyal hobbit who hides in his house minding his own business, but when he was needed by Gandalf for an adventure he at first hesitates but then he realises that he is needed so he loyally joins Gandalf. Gandalf is a mysterious wizard with a big long beard and a large grey pointed hat. He likes to tell his stories about what he has done and is extremely wise. There are twelve dwarves in the book and all of them have beards and they are a very rowdy group, who drink and party together.

In the book the The Hobbit, the main character Bilbo Baggins, is smoking his pipe when a grey wizard walks up to the front of his house. They have a brief conversation about an adventure to Mordor with twelve dwarves to kill the dragon Smaug and win back Thorin’s gold. The Hobbit tells of the adventures that the characters have along the way and comes to a conclusion when they finally reach Thorin’s gold.

I found this book to be quite good but it is not my kind of book.   I just didn’t find it very interesting, I found it to be very repetitive. In the book the characters always get caught or get into trouble and then they would escape and then it started all over again, capture, trouble, escape.

The characters are well described and you can understand who they are and their motivation but I felt the character that stood out for me was Thorin. This character gave me the feeling that he had been through many hardships in his life and there was depth to his character. He overcomes his greed and obsession with his gold to become a better person.

I would recommend this comic type illustrated book to children between 9 and 15 who enjoy fantasy books. My rating is 3 out of 5 stars.

Angus N. Year 8

November 7

‘The Coming of the Whirlpool’ (Ship Kings #1) by Andrew McGahan

The coming of the whirlpool“Later, when the greatest mariner of his day and famous around the Four Isles, he was to be known by many names. He was to be called the Last of the Ship Kings, even though he was nothing of the sort. He would be called the Young Admiral and the Scapegoat’s captain. He would be called The Man Who Sailed Off The Edge Of The Earth.

But his real name, the name of his birth, was simply Dow. Dow Amber.”

Does this sound like the kind of protagonist you’d enjoy reading about? The kind of protagonist you would follow until the series comes to its bittersweet end? He certainly did it for me!

Life is dull and boring for Dow Amber in his small town of Yellow Bank, a logging town full of gruff woodcutters.  When Dow becomes a man, at the age of only 13, he was given a jacket, tent, and axe, and sent out for months on end to cut down trees with his father and his logging group. During this trip, Dow finds himself staring at the ocean, and falling in love with it. He instantly loved the ocean, and yearned for it. Dow eventually learns a dark secret, the reason behind his love for the ocean, and goes forth unto the world, to try and see the sea.

I really enjoyed Ship Kings due to its well paced plot which is rolled deep in mystery. Dow himself doesn’t understand what’s going on until he’s been informed. The way that the setting was designed kept me reading this book; Andrew McGahan did an amazing job describing the two towns in which Dow lives. He also detailed the people well and wrote them in an amazing way, all with different personalities that make them interesting as people.

Ship Kings, The Coming of the Whirlpool, took me to a different world with the amazing way that it’s been written. I felt heavily immersed in the setting and it felt as if I was really there, watching the events unfold. I give the book four out of five stars for its stellar writing and well-explored setting.

Cory, Year 9

April 30

‘The Coming of the Whirlpool’ by Andrew McGahan

The Coming of the WhirlpoolThe Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Coming of the Whirpool has all the elements of a modern classic for young adults: an unlikely hero who is only too aware of his frailty, a monumental struggle against the elements, drama, the hero’s conflict within himself as well as with society.

Although the language and level of description may be unfamiliar to some of today’s teen readers (unless they are keen fantasy lovers), however this story brought to mind other great sea tales such as Moby Dick and The Old Man and the Sea. Dow has stayed with me long after I had finished reading – for me, the mark of a great story!

The first in a trilogy, the story is none the less satisfying and bound to be a classic of our time. Mrs Osborne

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